Blog #3 “How to Do Case Study Research” and "Building Blocks”

Fatima Muhammad                                                                              March 2, 2020

ENG 5002*01                                                                                      Dr. Nelson

My Response to:

“How to Do Case Study Research”, by Donna M. Zucker

and

"Building Blocks”, by Charles Nelson

“How to Do Case Study Research”, by Donna M. Zucker

How to Do Case Study Research:

Before reading this article I was unaware of the different types of case study, with different features and different.  “According to Bromely (1990), it is a “systematic inquiry into an event or a set of related events which aims to describe and explain the phenomenon of interest” (p. 302)  (p. 1) When I read that definition I interpret case study research to be a way of investigating a matter.  The investigation must have guided questions with a goal to collecting data that provides an understanding of a certain matter.  The research must be purposeful.  Also, data is not just any information that is collected haphazardly. “Data come largely from documentation, archival records, interviews, direct observation, participant observation and physical artifacts (Yin,1994) (p 1)  In addition, I’ve learned that there are different types of case study research and there is a difference in the purpose of each, “case study”, “case review” and “case report.”

‘Case study’ – key features are its scientific credentials and its evidence base for     professional applications.

‘Case review’ – might emphasize a critical reappraisal of a case.

‘Case report’  - might refer to a summary of a case or to the document reporting a case, as in law or medicine. 

This article provides a step-by-step-guide on how to do case study.  Each step is defined in a comprehensible manner.

In Preparation:  In my preparation to research the answer for my research question,” What effect will teaching poetry to autistic students have on their ability to learn and express their emotions?,” I will choose a design study that is most suitable for my topic.  One that is a template for observing behavior, as is an observer/participant and participant/observer.  My data must be generated from my observations, as well as, physical artifacts, archival records and interviews.  Finally I must be able to analyze and interpret the data and disseminate findings that can be applied to other research and practice in the classroom with artistic students.

Prior to Beginning:

I will make a table and fill in the components of each method that I will consider as a guide for my research.  This will show me which method will best support my purpose of inquiry for my research question.

Grounded Theory Method

The research question

Its propositions

Its unit(s) of analysis

A determination of how the data are linked to the propositions

Criteria to interpret the findings

Strategies:  Using the correct tools will enable me to be successful in my research.  Explaining the importance and value of my research question is key.  For my data collection I must establish rigor to prove my credibility.  I must be able to prove that I actually observed the behavior of the autistic student.

Sample:  I will use a case study because it emphasizes the proximal causes of the behavior and circumstances.  

“The case study emphasizes the proximal causes of the behavior and circumstances…”

Methods and Analysis: Iterative Processes:

Stage 1 – Describing Experience:  This can be achieved with three steps: create interview to the first interview, generate a list of possible sources of data and

Stage 2 – Describing Meaning: I will learn and utilize the literature relevant to my type of study by using the sign and symbols that represent each student.   As well, report the people, things and events on a micro-level, to show what is important to the student. Then discuss the findings on a macro-level, by observing the entire class.

Stage 3 – Focus of the Analysis: I must pay close attention to the details so that my analysis is correct and clear.

Examining Rigor: I must be able to confirm my findings. I can do this by providing evidence, reports, artifacts.

Writing Up the Case: Before writing my report I will read other reports on my topic.  After I write it and before I submit it I have a peer and professional read my report, explore any new data that developed from my research, decide a format to use to report my research.

Building Blocks”, by Charles Nelson

Holland’s Model of Complex Systems

This article will explain the four properties and the three mechanism of complex adaptive systems.

Properties: aggregation, nonlinearity, flows, and diversity

Mechanism:  tagging, internal models and blocks

Properties of complex adaptive systems:

Aggregation is to group items with similar characteristics, a primary method. When conducting my research.  I would use aggregation to group the high functioning together and the low functioning student together.  Nonlinearity would be used to observe students as a whole classroom of students and not as individuals.  Overtime as I observe the students’ behavior, and experience the flow.  I would hope that by experiencing the pattern of poetry their ability to learn is increased and their ability to express themselves emotionally is improved.  Lastly diversity is part of this complex adaptive.  My research is about autistic students.  The location of my research will be in a school.  School settings are very diverse.  Now more than ever, students with special needs being are integrated into mainstream classes. For example autistic student may participate in a school production.  “This diversity is a dynamic pattern because agents engage in progressive adaptations via their interactions with other agents thus constantly changing their niches in the system.” (Nelson p.43)

Mechanisms:

When conducting research, tags are used as identifiers and categorizes.  I will use tags to identify the flow of students that gel together.  Tags can be used to categorize the learning tools that I will use; such as, notebooks, poetry books, drawing tools, music, tables, chairs or mats on the floor.  Schema, or lookahead, is a mechanism that anticipation situations.  To employ schema in the research, I will always be optimistic anticipating growth outcomes. 

Method and Context:

Here are some research methods discussed in the article:

observation                                          self-evaluation – Learning Record Online (LRO)

provide evidence                                 data collections

analysis of the interview and observations

Reproduction:

I will aid the students with using their current building blocks to apply them to new learning situations and determine if the new application fit the new learning situation.  The students can use conceptual building blocks with the musical instrument to aid the expressions. A well as organizational building blocks to organization the learning tools.

Cross-over and recombination:

When building blocks do not fit, cross-over and recombination can be used to clear dissonance by creating new models that either fit into the current or make a new model for a new situation.

Replacement:

I will use “replacement” to identify the ‘fitter,”  building blocks that no longer fit and have grown out the current situation, and is now developing a new criteria.  When a student’s skills have improved and he/she is ready to move to the next level, I will create a more challenging situation.

Question:

Is it acceptable for a researcher to use part of one research method while using another method?  For example, using Grounded Theory Methodology as the major method of research and then add some steps from Quantitative\Qualitative Methods.